The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1887-02-11
when we are running behind now"
And be sighed halnlcr than ever

ner thinking cap. and, locking her
door. SO no one could disturb her, she
nestled down In her low rocking chair
by the west window. and fell into a
brown study. II was after midnight
when she At last came out u Il, and
cautiously opening her door stole across
the dark hall to an opposite door and
raped softly.
"Come in" called deep. musical
voice. and Bee obcyed the summons
and entered large. bcautifully-ap'
pointed room. where woyoung women
were slowly and sleepily preparing "a
retire, after an evening spent Mt q
brilliant reception. The taller Of the
two greeted Bee with . smile. a. she
stood wrapped in wine-colored dress
ing-gown, her dark brown hair hang.
ing about her shoulders, and the brush
in her uplifted hand, while her sister
sat laxily toasting her daintily-slip'
pered feet at the open fire, looking be.
witching even Mt that time Of night in
her becoming pink robe.
"Alice. are you and May too tired to
talk" said Bee, returning her Oldest
sisters smile.
"Of course not. Are girls ever too
tired TO talkP" and Alice laughed,
musically.
Tell away, Bee. that's DEAR
drawled May. II know by your looks
that you've something interesting to
relate"
whats up" cried new voice, and
a tall, lily-faced girl came from an in
ner room. gold pen held lightly in
her right hand and her pale blue tea
gown trailing gracefully after her
You still awaken said Alice. in
surprise.
The newcomer rubbed her forehead
with her disengaged hand, and replied,
slceply:
Yes, got interested in my writing
and couldn't stop. Did you have a
good time at the fandango?" and she
curled herself up on the rug with a lit
tie SILVER. and rested her head against
Mays knee.
Just as usual, replied May, with a
yawn. I'm getting dreadfully tired
Of this life, though"
80 am l." cried Alice. II feel as Il
didn't amount to any thing. and l am
so sick Of this everlasting dress, dress.
dress, and parties, lunches. dinners,
operas, etc., that am ready to 60 to
the ends Of the world to get away from
| it."
III You want different kind Of life,
am ready to offer you one." said Bee.
soberly, from her perch on the foot Of
the bed.
''You?" and all three turned to look
in Amusement at their youngest sister.
and the pet and baby Of the family.
"You don't need to be so terribly
surprised" she replied, with little
pout Il can have thoughts and plans
as well rs the rest Of you. il ! CAM
sing divinely,' paint exquisitcly.' Of
write 'heart-melting stories. ("
"Of course you cam" cried Alice,
warmly. "And can see that you arc
brimful Of thoughts and plans this very
minute. So proceed TO unburden your
self lest they prove too much for YOU"
'Your audience is in waiting" said
May, clasping her slender hands above
her dark head, while Ida. the sister in
blue, only smiled up into Bees flushed
face
"Well, II Alice will put down her
hair-brush. and settle herself in an au-
dience manner" said Bee, laughingly,
"Tll proceed with my lecture, unfold
my plans and air my thoughts"
Alice obcdiently laid aside her ivory.
handled brush and Joined the group on
the rug. And Bee began in her sweet.
earnest voice, while her wistful brown
eyes watched the faces Of her beautiful
sisters, rs they looked up at her on her
lofty seat above them.
''Now, girls, papa is in awful trouble,
and
Papa in trouble?" calculated Alice
and Ida. in one breath. while May
added, slowly: I'm troublcP"
"Ycs. in trouble. don't interrupt Z
and Bee frowncd as hard as she could.
IN tell you all about it. You know
these horrid strikes have made business
fcarfully dull and probably will make
It 50 for some time 10 come -"
"Ycs, ycs!" said Alice. hurricdly.
"Well, that affects papa's business.
as well rs every body else; and. Of
course, he has to be very careful and
not pay out too much money, cause 50
little moneys coming in. Do you
secP"
''Of course! 90 on" said Alice. as
spokesman for the audience.
Papa thinks they could have got
through all right, only, what do you
thinkr'
'WhatP do hurry said Ida. raising
her head from Mays knee to get a bet
ter view Of the speaker.
"Whv. the under book-kceper and
three Of the best clerks struck to-day,
and papa cant possibly do without
them. And he can't afford to pay them
higher wages, but he's just got TO,
cause they understand tho business.